Introduction: The Daiwa Steez is the exotic sports car of
fishing reels, sleek, lightweight, refined, and undeniably sexy. This premium
performer just got faster and this ICAST Daiwa unveiled their quickest reel to
date, meet the new Steez EX-XS. The new XS model features a blazing fast 7.9 to
1 ratio which is capable of pulling in over 33 inches of line with a single turn
of the handle.

The Steez just got faster, the new
EX XS model has a 7.9:1 gear ratio

The XS is primarily designed for anglers that power fish and favor hitting
targets and reeling in quickly through dead water to cast again and maximize
bait position in the strike zone. This new reel features the same Steez profile
but with a darker finish and purple highlights. The reel also showcases a more
aggressively ported handle which is still swept but now has cutouts through the
entire center portion. This oversized handle is now 100mm to meet the speed and
leverage requirements. To accommodate the high speed gearing the Steez EX XS
does put on a little weight and will weigh in at 6.0oz.

The Steez EX XS features purple
highlights to help distinguish the reel

The XS is not the only new Steez this year and the more traditional ratio reels
also get a makeover. The new Steez EX HS 7.1, HS for “High Speed” is capable of
reeling in 29.8” of line and is a good all round choice for most applications.
This reel has a more traditional finish but will also have the 100MM oversized
handle. The HS model will weigh in at 5.6oz. which is the same as the current
gen.

All the new Steez reels (EX H
shown) feature a fully ported swept handle and we love the new gear designation
on the side

The new Steez EX H 6.3 model becomes the lightest Steez yet and weighs in at
only 5.4oz. and delivers 26 “ of line retrieve per crank. This lightweight reel
features a more powerful gear ratio for pulling those higher resistance baits
yet is still fast enough for a wide spectrum of applications.

We finally got to check out the
Steez spinning reel in person and it is breathtaking

All three of the new EX series Steez reels feature the familiar magnesium frame
and sideplate and a free floating A7075 aluminum alloy spool. The reels should
deliver a very respectable 13.2lbs. of drag pressure courtesy of the carbon drag
system, and each reel comes loaded with a total of 11 + 1 bearings. To protect
these high end reels each will ship with a neoprene cover.

Daiwa loves show something
different each year and in the booth were two T3 reels with Ferrari colored
paint finishes...

...unfortunately the current plan
for these T3 BLS limited reels is to make them available only for the Japan
market

The new lineup looks slick and the cutout swept handle immediately sets the
Steez EX reels apart from their predecessors. The XS in particular really stands
out with the purple highlights that scream for attention versus the more subdued
look of the other versions. The good news is the new Steez reels continue to get
lighter and faster options and the bad news is the price is also up, and to own
one of these exotics anglers will need to shell out $599.99 dollars for a
“drive.”